Page to Screen Adaptations Coming in 2023

Coming to Netflix 12/8/23 and starring starring Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la, Farrah Mackenzie, Charlie Evans and Kevin Bacon. Based on Rumaan Alam’s atmospheric and provocative novel, Leave the World Behind (a 2020 Barnes & Noble Book Club pick). What seems to be an ordinary family-vacation-knocked-off-its-rails drama, quickly shifts into a much larger story, one that’s vibrant, tense and thrilling.

The basis for Cord Jefferson’s hilarious film, American Fiction, starring Jeffrey Wright (and co-written by Jefferson and Percival Everett). A biting satire that’s equally intellectually stimulating, this is a story of race in America and what it means to be Black. With sympathy and sarcasm, Everett creates an entirely real narrative about identity, community, ambition and so much more. 

The buzz on this Christmas Day release has been building and building and shows no signs of slowing down. No novel is more iconic than The Color Purple, and this exclusive edition in celebration of its 40th anniversary is stunning. Revisit the often tragic, always uplifting story of Celie and Nettie, separated sisters who carry on through letters. It delivers on so many emotional levels and is required reading for anyone.

Rippling with dark humor and creepily compelling, Otessa Moshfegh has created an unforgettable protagonist that you’ll immediately connect with. This is a story packed with surprises, completely unpredictable and abounding with empathy. (Moshfegh and her husband, Luke Goebel, wrote the screenplay for the eponymous film.)

The inspiration for Ava DuVernay’s new film, Origin, opening in limited release 12/8/23. A fundamentally stirring read that will leave you speechless. In this magnificent work of history, narrative, social commentary, philosophy and inspired storytelling, Isabel Wilkerson offers us a new frame, a deeper focal point and a new language to help us toward a reckoning long overdue.

George Clooney is directing the big-screen adaptation of the unforgettable story of an underdog rowing team that beats the odds and wins the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Brown perfectly captures the dreams and fears of the nine rowers from the University of Washington that overcame their struggles and succeeded, making this book a must read.

Wonka, the new film starring Timothée Chalamet, is a prequel to the classic Charlie and The Chocolate Factory film, based on the book of the same title. One of those must-have books for children, it’s the story of the humble young Charlie Bucket and his unexpected luck — he’s going to tour Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. While he has no idea what that truly means, it makes for a grand adventure of endless heart and humor that will open a door to a delicious (and often dangerous) new world for young readers.

The Lightning Thief is a great beginning to a fantastic series of books that are the basis for the new streaming series, Percy Jackson & the Olympians, coming to Disney+ on 12/20/23. Young Percy Jackson has just discovered that he is a demigod, and now it’s a race against time as he tries to avoid the wrath of Zeus. Filled with action and humor, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief will have every reader looking to join Camp Half-Blood.

One of their own is kidnapped in season 3 of Apple TV+’s Slow Horses, based on Mick Herron’s third novel in his series about a house for disgraced MI5 agents, all of whom want to get back to work. It’s a fantastic premise, and Mick Herron delivers on the promises he sets up. It’s thrilling, it’s unique, and it’s a compelling look at complex characters, from the writer Val McDermid calls “John le Carré of his generation.”

Our 2022 Book of the Year has been a huge success story as all types of readers have picked up the story of Elizabeth Zott and her adventures in breaking the status quo. We’re even more thrilled that our favorite book of the year got picked up as an Apple TV+ series. Starring Brie Larson as Elizabeth Zott, we cannot wait to see this story brought to life! 

Directed by Martin Scorcese and starring Leonard DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone, Flowers of the Killer Moon is one of this fall’s most anticipated films — based on the heartbreaking and critically acclaimed book of the same name by David Grann (The Wager).

One of the most treasured books of all time, The Velveteen Rabbit has been inspiring young readers since its original publication in 1922. With original text and illustrations, there’s no better time to reacquaint yourself and your young ones with the beautiful story of a toy’s journey to becoming real.

This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is coming to Netflix as a limited series in November, and we can’t wait to see the story brought to life in a whole new way. All the Light We Cannot See intertwines the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy as they fight to survive World War II’s devastation. This truly unforgettable and immersive book examines humanity in the face of horrifying circumstances.  

Coming to Hulu: A story of estranged siblings come together to deal with their mother’s death and solve the mystery of her secret past — a journey of discovery that takes them to far off places and ends with her famous black cake. This family saga is full of secrets, betrayal, love, tradition and in the end, acceptance. This book will stay with you, as well as a craving for Caribbean black cake. (A great read for fans of The Vanishing Half or Transcendent Kingdom.)

A B&N Book Club pick from 2021 comes to Hulu under showrunner Danielle Henderson (The Ugly Cry: How I Became a Person (Despite My Grandmother’s Horrible Advice)).
Sharp and full of insights about race, class and gender, this page-turner is unsettling, unexpected and incredibly timely. With elements of satire nestled alongside the twisty, turny plot, it’s a story you won’t soon forget.

Be prepared to get lost on this journey! A dark fairytale for modern audiences, this is Victor LaValle at his storytelling best. The Changeling pulls you into Apollo and Emma’s world, weaving themes of corruption with ancient folklore, preternatural love and an undercurrent of facing our monsters. Read it before the TV series. Read it after the TV series. Read it if you’ve read it before. It’s a story worth staying lost in.

This timeless classic has touched the lives of many for decades, and the story is poised to welcome a new generation of readers — as a movie starring Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates has landed on the silver screen! Coming to theaters this April, Margaret is an anxious pre-teen girl trying to figure out how to fit in while asking all the big questions of life. Funny and intimate, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is a relatable coming-of-age story for all.  

A fast-paced thriller full of family drama and plot twists, The Last Thing He Told Me is a suspenseful story readers won’t be able to put down. Hannah and her stepdaughter Bailey must work together to uncover the real identity of Bailey’s father after he goes missing — and stay alive themselves. The Apple TV+ series stars Jennifer Garner and is bringing renewed attention to this runaway bestseller.  

Seasons 1 and 2 of Bridgerton quickly became Netflix favorites, and season 3 is poised to do the same. To get ready, you have to pick up book four of the series, Romancing Mister Bridgerton to immerse yourself in the romance between Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington. And prepare yourselves. We’re certain season 3 will bring us ALL the swoons! 

Speaking of the Bridgertons, both a new novel and Netflix series are coming this May, featuring Queen Charlotte’s and King George III’s romance. First meeting hours before their marriage, Queen Charlotte’s independence is her saving grace as she uncovers George’s secrets, starts to fall for him despite his wishes, and learns the intricacy of the court. Spring into this new romance and prepare to be swept away by Charlotte’s determination and her love for the king.  

Expected in November, this Hunger Games prequel sets the scene for the beloved trilogy, diving into President Snow’s teenage years. Starting the morning of the reaping that kicks of the tenth annual Hunger Games, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory to try to help his family who have fallen on hard times. But he’s assigned to mentor the female tribute of District 12, and their fates become deeply intertwined.  

Daisy Jones & the Six is so vivid and compelling that it was simply made for the screen. Lucky for us, it’s being made into a TV series on Prime Video. Following a fictional band loosely based on Fleetwood Mac, any music lover will adore this novel of a band revved up on sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll. Starring Riley Keough (granddaughter of Elvis Presley), Sam Claflin (what book to screen adaptations hasn’t he been in?), and so many others, look for the series to drop in March.  

If you haven’t seen the trailer for the upcoming Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, pause, click here, and then continue reading. Starring beloved actors like Chris Pine, Sophia Lillis, Regé-Jean Page, and Hugh Grant, this star-studded cast is certain to captivate viewers. But we’re even more excited about this prequel book that’s releasing about a month ahead of the film, perfect to prime viewers for what they’re about to see (plus it has Chris Pine’s face on the cover, so the design choice is on point).   

Dune: Part Two has recently finished filming, and while we’ll have to wait a little long (the film’s release has been pushed from 2023 to 2024) there’s plenty of time for you to fly through the book to prepare for the movie, and whether you’re an avid fan or are discovering the series for the first time, our exclusive of the deluxe edition is a must-have. With a redesigned world map of Dune, an updated introduction by Brian Herbert, and an exclusive cover, endpapers, and stained edges, this book is as fantastic of a read as it is pretty on your shelves. 

March is already (clearly) going to be a great month, but it’s going to be made even better by the second season of Shadow and Bone coming to Netflix. While the second season is based on the second novel in the series, Storm and Seige, we highly recommend picking up the box set to binge-read the entire series in one sitting. With some characters from the other Grishaverse duology, Six of Crows, we also recommend you snag that box set while you’re at it to get a full picture of this magnificent series.  

Red, White, and Royal Blue took the world by storm, and its film adaptation is poised to do the very same. Starring actors like Nicholas Galitzine, Taylor Zakhar Perez, and Uma Thurman, we are certain this movie is in great hands, and we can’t wait to watch it on Prime Video. With the special collector’s edition out that features illustrated endpapers and an all new Henry-POV chapter, it’s a great time to pick up this story of an unlikely romance between America’s First Son and the Prince of Wales. 

The adaptation of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper took the world by storm this past year, and we already know that season 2 will do the same. If you haven’t already entered the world of Heartstopper, now’s the time with four graphic novels and companion novels out. Filming for season two started in September, and we can’t wait to see the next part of Nick and Charlie’s love story coming to our Netflix screens! 

Netflix has been snatching up a lot of book adaptations, one of which being The Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. The book was published in 2005 and kicked off the dystopian trend that took the world by storm with series like The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Maze Runner. Starring Joey King (popularly known for The Kissing Booth movies), this movie will be set in a world where kids, must have an operation at age 16 that conforms everyone to the ideal beauty standard. Full of rebellion, friendship, and choices that change the lives of the main characters, it’s time to read or reread this brilliant series! 

Poetry and basketball collide in this powerful middle-grade novel in verse about 13-year-old twin brothers Josh and Jordan. Rich with imagery, emotion and heart, The Crossover packs a serious punch that will appeal to readers of all ages and reading levels. Even better, this book has been adapted by Disney+ with LeBron James as one of the executive producers! 

Season one immediately became a fan favorite, so we’re highly anticipating season two. Jenny Han’s books have proven that they’re adaptation material by becoming beloved films (like the Netflix movie trilogy To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before) or hit tv series like The Summer I Turned Pretty. The entire trilogy is a must-read, but we definitely recommend picking up the second book in the series, It’s Not Summer Without You to prepare for season two! 

The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay is getting its own chill inducing adaptation with a brilliant cast including Ben Aldridge, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff, and Rupert Grint. This tense twist to the home invasion novel will keep readers and viewers alike on the edge of their seats, and we simply cannot wait to see this story brought to life. Set to release in February under the name of Knock at the Cabin, pick up the novel today to prepare! 

Coming soon to Showtime and starring Shailene Woodley, Betty Gilpin, DeWanda Wise, Gabrielle Creevy, and Blair Underwood, this book to series adaptation is one we anxiously await. Following three seemingly ordinary women, Lisa Taddeo’s reporting explores their desires, their relationships, and their lives in an intimate and affecting portrayal that reads like a novel and will keep readers riveted page after page. We’re excited to see how this talented cast will bring this book to life.